Building a Vibrant and Enduring Spatial Science John P. Wilson IWGIS2014 Beijing, China

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1 Building a Vibrant and Enduring Spatial Science John P. Wilson IWGIS2014 Beijing, China Outline Spatial roots o Geography o Landscape architecture o Computer science The (current) opportunity Guiding principles o Spatial as an enabling discipline o Core concepts (& distractions) o Role of collaboration o Changing character of spatial data o Role of geodesign actionable science Final Thoughts 21 June The opportunity Five guiding principles Spatial turn o Rapid spread of spatial thinking & GIS throughout sciences o Snow s 19 th century work on cholera o Scholten s new book o ACM GIS Conference series o Swept through social sciences and humanities as well o o All human action literally takes place somewhere Spatial dimension of social interaction key for understanding all of the classic questions about the human condition New academic units New academic programs Map showing clusters of cholera cases in London epidemic of 1854 Spatial as an enabling discipline Core concepts distractions Role of Collaboration Changing character of spatial data Role of Geodesign actionable science 3 4 Spatial as an enabling discipline Cf. with statistics Need small number of fundamental spatial scientists, larger numbers of translational scientists? Know ourselves, our role in the knowledge discovery process o GIS&T Body of Knowledge projects Learn how to connect & collaborate with others Spatial structure Dynamism Uncertainty Cognition Design Scale Core concepts Duckham

2 Dynamism Uncertainty Catalina Island Fox, Photo: Courtesy of Tim Coonan Mission Blue Butterfly, Photo: Courtesy of Travis Longcore Poronui Lodge: Home Ranges for Stags 7 8 Cognition Design Maps Technology 9 1:25K 1:50K 1:100K 10 Scale complexity Distractions Global Meso Topo Micro Nano Cloud cover and CO2 levels control primary energy inputs to climate and weather patterns Prevailing weather systems control long term mean conditions; elevation driven lapse rates control monthly climate; and geological substrate exerts control on soil chemistry Surface morphology controls catchment hydrology; slope, aspect, horizon, and topographic shading control surface insolation Vegetation canopy controls light, heat, and water for understory plants; vegetation structure and plant physiognomy controls nutrient use Soil microorganisms control nutrient recycling (Slide: Courtesy of Michael Hutchinson)

3 Role of Collaboration Work with scientists in other domains Tackle "big" questions in new and important ways o Use of taxi, cell phone & social media data to explore form and function of metropolitan regions, cities, etc. Key criteria for success o Collaboration needs to involve more than spatial scientists o Sum of the parts must be greater than the parts themselves 1961 Urban form function Placemaking, neighborhoods, active living Economic organization Role of the Web Industry in Motion: Using Smart Phones to Explore the Spatial Network of the Garment Industry in New York City Sarah Williams Elizabeth Currid-Halkett Changing character of spatial data Exposome Finer granularity in terms of both space and time o Exposure modeling o Digital terrain modeling o Other examples? 3D Crowdsourcing Volunteered Geographic Information Social media Sensing systems Changing role of government

4 3D LiDAR surface models Crowdsourcing VGI Crowdsourcing social media GeoSensor networks Changing role of government American Community Survey Geodesign placemaking Spatial thinking Geospatial technologies Focus on the future Design as a force for good Collaboration 23 Capacity building Human well-being Sustainable development Spatial leadership Professional ethics 24 4

5 Final thoughts Spatial as an enabling discipline Core concepts distractions Role of collaboration Changing character of spatial data Role of geodesign "actionable" science Our past work Focused on terrestrial environments Focused on space (less about time) Focused on what is or what has been Ignored most of the world o Oceans cover 70% of Earth s surface o Buildings people spend 85% of their lives indoors & dense urban areas have far more interior space than land area Not well aligned with everyday places & non expert users Not connected to sketch & recording needs of design disciplines Close Ques ons? Project for Public Spaces Placemaking plans Placemaking 101 Lighter Quicker Cheaper City wide strategic plans Capacity building and cultural change John Wilson jpwilson@usc.edu